My Purple Christmas with Charity!

 I had an awesome Christmas with Charity.  We had so much fun together.  We shopped, organized, redecorated my house, and visited with family.  This picture shows us having street tacos one night in Vancouver with my brother Randy and his son Kade and wife Susan (not in the picture).  We loved the tacos and had a fun time.

 We went furniture shopping and I actually bought this couch and ottoman!  I bought my used couch 10 years ago for $350 and everyone has been telling me for a long time that I needed to get a new one so I finally did.  I wasn't planning to buy one but it was comfortable and the price was good so I bought it.  My brother Randy was awesome to come without notice to look at it and give his approval for the purchase and make two trips to take it home for me which saved the delivery fee.  He is a wonderful brother.  I am really happy with my new purchase.  It is my Christmas gift to myself.

 We down sized this year to a smaller Christmas tree and we liked it.  I put up the tree and Susan did the lights for us.  We had a lot of gifts under our tree!

 Christmas morning - this is where the purple Christmas started.  Well, it actually started Christmas eve when Charity gave me my new purple pajamas that I was wearing.  They are great and I love them.  They are cozy and warm.  She always picks me out nice pajamas for Christmas.  I was also thrilled with this gift of a Coach purple purse!  Can you believe it?  It is lovely and I just LOVE it!!!  It is so cute!  I don't know how she found it but she did and I love it.  It is the most fun purse I have ever had!  Thanks Charity for an awesome Christmas gift.  She is so generous.  I can't believe she got me this expensive purse. 

 Now, look at this umbrella that my mom and sister made for me.  It has pictures of all of my children and their families on it.  I am so excited to use it.  Living where I do, there will be many opportunities!  It is just awesome!  What a wonderful gift.  So far, everyone that sees it loves it and wants one also!

 Jason and Ashley got me this mat for by the kitchen sink.  It is really nice and soft.  They also got me some kindle books that I am excited to read.  

Nate and Misty got me a wonderful camel back.  Somehow we missed getting a picture of it.  It is like a backpack that holds water so you can drink water while you walk without having to carry water in a water bottle.  It is going to be so wonderful to have when I take long walks.  I have been going without water which isn't good.  Thanks to them for a wonderful gift.

 Charity was excited to received a Nija blender set from Jason and Ashley for her Christmas gift.  She was thrilled.

 Another picture of my wonderful umbrella

 This is my most wonderful belated birthday gift from Charity.  Can you believe this more than generous gift.  I am just overwhelmed with her generosity.  This comforter really brightens up my bedroom and I just love it.  I needed new lamps and she also got me new lamps.  She was just too kind to me.  I don't know how she can do so much for me for my birthday.  Charity, thanks for such a fabulous birthday gift.  I think of you every morning when I make my bed and see how lovely my bedroom is.  Thanks for the great birthday gift!

 Another picture of my lovely purse.  I'm not sure I should be accepting such an expensive gift.  Somehow I must find a way to pay Charity back for being too generous with me for my birthday and for Christmas.  This purse is just the best!

 Here's my mat in use.

Casey and Jenna got me this for holding my phone while I run.  It is great and lets me run hands free.  I will be using it a lot.  They also got me some cute cupcake papers and some lovely pearl ear ring sets.  Thanks so much for the great gifts.

Charity got me other purple things - purple stocking, purple bath gel, purple lotion, purple bath sponge, purple gloves, purple etc.  It was such a fun Christmas.  It was wonderful to have her here to help me clean, organize, and redecorate without using much money at all.  This was a low budget year after buying the new couch.  Charity, thanks for coming and making this such a special Christmas!  It was wonderful and you are also!

We spent Christmas eve and Christmas day with my brother Randy and his wife and her family.  We enjoyed some delicious food and some great company.  Charity and I made the acini di pepe pasta salad (frog eye salad) just for Kade.

The week went so fast.  I have my house with all the improvements to remind me of Charity's visit.  I miss her so much.  It was so hard to see her go.  I wish she could have stayed longer.  It's really hard to live so far away.  Thanks Charity for the best Christmas!  I love you lots!

Grandma's Photo Shoot

  I just loved the pictures I took of Allison and Audrey together when they were first born so I thought it would be fun to take pictures of them together again.

 So I sat them down side by side and tried to get their attention at the same time.

 I had to have a little help.

 But as you can see, it was hard to get both of their attention at the same time.

Even if I did get their attention, it didn't last for very long.

Well, that was my attempt at taking a picture of them together.  Maybe I'll try again when they get a little older!  They are sure both adorable though!  What beautiful little babies they are!

Happy Times!

 Allison is just adorable and this was the first time I saw her sit up!  She did great!

 She is such a good baby.  Waiting patiently to eat...

 Aunt Charity is so good with her nieces and nephews.

 A beautiful smile from Allison.

 Cute Allison

 What a little sweetheart

 One of my friends asked me last night what it was like when my six grandchildren get together and this is what it is like.  They play together. 

 They eat together.  They loved the cookies.

 I got Weston and Benson a nativity set for Christmas this year.  I let them play with it for awhile before I put it in the closet to wait for time to decorate for Christmas.  I was thrilled that they were having fun with it.

 Snack time

 Such an adorable look

Casey and his boys - Weston and Benson - they just love their dad!  I just love visiting my kids and their families.  I am always so happy to be with them and spend time together.  I couldn't think of a better place to be for Thanksgiving!

Many Faces

 Surprised Spencer....

 Paisley's happy face...  She is looking so grown up at almost 5 years old.  Notice that her pencil is in her left hand.

Audrey patiently ready to eat her dinner.

 On another day, cute faces of Audrey....

 More of Audrey....

 Another of Audrey....

 One final one of Audrey.

 Another pretty Paisley smile.

 Spencer working hard.

 I was lucky to get this unexpected shot of the whole family after church.  There was no time for a pose so it's pretty good.  Jason, Ashley, Audrey, Paisley, and Spencer!

 Spencer ready to bless the food.

Paisley and Spencer playing with the nativity set while decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving!  It was so much fun to watch them.  They are such good kids!  I sure love and miss them.

Pre and Post Thanksgiving Dinner Shots

 

 Casey's cousins and my nephews, Bryce and Tyler, came from Rexburg and Provo, to spend Thanksgiving with us.  They arrived in advance of the holiday and were very helpful to assist Casey with installing a drain in his backyard.  Casey was grateful for their experience and hard work.

 Tyler was great with Allison and tending the kids while Jenna was in the hospital.  He even had Allison down for a nap when we got back from the race.  Great job Tyler!  Bryce did great with Benson and Weston!  Thanks to both of you.

 This is before Thanksgiving dinner........  Malcolm in the middle is Bryce's brother and one of my other nephews.

 This is after Thanksgiving dinner..........

Also, after Thanksgiving dinner..........

Golf Practice Before Thanksgiving Dinner

We had a little family outing while waiting for the turkey to finish cooking.  We went to the golf course to hit golf balls but the driving range was closed.  So we practiced on the putting green.  The kids had a great time.

The kids were running all over and chasing the balls more than hitting them.

Casey's cousin Bryce took quite a bit of time to help Benson hit some balls and that was a lot of fun for Benson.  I was impressed with the amount of patience Bryce had.

Spencer was running around and playing with the flags.

Weston worked hard and was determined to get those balls into the holes.

Tyler, Bryce, Casey, and Jenna

Benson was pretty happy that his ball went into the hole.

A good shot....

Look!  Weston's persistence paid off - he did it!  Yeah!  Now it was time for turkey dinner!